Sarah Butler: How to make my tomato pesto chicken for dinner in under 30 minutes

Whether tossing pesto with pasta or adding it to this chicken dish, homemade pesto brings a touch of gourmet to everyday meals.

There's something incredibly satisfying about making homemade pesto — it’s fresh, fragrant, and bursts with flavour.

The beauty of pesto is its simplicity: just a handful of ingredients — basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil — blended together to create a vibrant green sauce that elevates any dish. Making it at home means you can adjust it to your taste, using the freshest herbs for an unbeatable flavour.

One of my favourite ways to use homemade pesto is in a tomato pesto chicken recipe. Juicy, ripe tomatoes add a lovely sweetness, and the homemade pesto is a delicious addition. Incredibly easy to prepare, it will soon become a go-to for busy weeknights.

This dish is a real family favourite — comforting and ready in under 30 minutes. The combination of tender chicken, melty cheese, juicy tomatoes, and vibrant pesto is irresistible. Plus, it’s a great way to use garden tomatoes or local seasonal produce. 

Whether tossing pesto with pasta or adding it to this chicken dish, homemade pesto brings a touch of gourmet to everyday meals. It’s quick, wholesome, and delicious — something the whole family will love.

This week, impress your family with homemade pesto and enjoy it in my tomato pesto chicken recipe for guaranteed clean plates.

Basil Pesto

recipe by:Sarah Butler

I used to always buy my pesto, but since discovering how easy it is to make, I now make it myself all the time. All you need is a blender or food processor and about five minutes. It stores well in a jar in the fridge for three to five days.

Cooking Time

 5 mins

Total Time

 5 mins

Course

 Side

Ingredients

• 1 garlic clove 

• 50g pine nuts 

• 50g Parmesan cheese grated 

• 90g fresh basil leaves 

• 150ml extra virgin olive oil 

• Salt and freshly ground pepper 

• Squeeze of lemon 

Method

1. Blend the garlic, pine nuts, and the Parmesan using a food processor until smooth. 

2. Add basil leaves and pulse. 

3. With the food processor still running, drizzle the olive oil into the ingredients until combined. 

4. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. It is very important to taste to ensure the seasoning is just right. 

Sarah's secret

Freeze any extra pesto in an ice cube tray and pop into a freezer bag to use again.

Tomato Pesto Chicken

recipe by:Sarah Butler

This is a gorgeous recipe, a flavoursome family dinner, perfect for mid-week or if you’re feeding a gang . I love its versatility, serving it with pasta, mash, even chips or wedges.

Servings

4

Preparation Time

 15 mins

Cooking Time

 20 mins

Total Time

 35 mins

Course

 Main

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts 

• 2 tbsp olive oil 

• 40g butter 

• 3 garlic cloves, minced 

• I tbsp tomato purée 

• 200g cherry tomatoes, whole 

• 100ml white wine or water 

• 2 tbsp green pesto 

• 4 tbsp crème fraîche (alternatively 150ml cream or 150ml chicken stock) 

• 4-5 leaves of fresh basil, finely chopped 

• Salt and freshly ground pepper 

Method

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with salt and pepper. 

2. Place a frying pan on a medium to high heat, add the olive oil and 20g butter until melted. 

3. Place the chicken into the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden, set aside. 

4. Add the remaining 20g butter to the pan on a medium heat and add the garlic, tomato purée, and tomatoes. 

5. Cook for 3-4 minutes on a low heat. 

6. Add the wine or water and let the ingredients soften in the liquid for a few minutes. 

7. Press down on the tomatoes with the back of a fork. 

8. Return the chicken to the pan of tomatoes. 

9. Add the pesto and crème fraîche and allow it to simmer for a few minutes. 

10. Cover lightly with foil and cook on a low heat for 10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through. 

11. Season to taste and garnish with fresh basil. 

12. Serve with pasta or potatoes and seasonal vegetables. 

Sarah's secret

Refrigerate any leftover chicken pieces and use in a salad for a tasty lunch the next day.